Romans 2:27
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.
29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
- KJV
- And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
- WEB
- Won’t those who are physically uncircumcised, but fulfill the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?
- ASV
- and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law?
- DARBY
- and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, [art] a law-transgressor?
- BLB
- And the uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, will judge you who through the letter and circumcision [are] a transgressor of the law.
- ÅB
- Og den fysisk uomskårne som oppfyller loven skal dømme deg, du som med lovens bokstav og omskjærelse er en lovbryter.
- OTB
- Den som ikke er fysisk omskåret og likevel adlyder Loven vil dømme deg som, til tross for å ha den skrevne koden og omskjærelsen, er en lovbryter.
- B1930
- Og den av naturen uomskårne som opfyller loven, skal dømme dig, du som med bokstav og omskjærelse er en lov-bryter.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 12:41–42
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.
Read in contextRomans 7:6–8
But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Read in contextRomans 8:4
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Read in context2 Corinthians 3:6
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Read in contextRomans 2:29
No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
Read in contextHebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Read in contextMatthew 3:15
“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
Read in contextMatthew 5:17–20
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Read in context